Gadabout Media » Family Travel

Blogging All-in-One for Dummies by Susan Gunelius – an Aide in Your Travel Blogging

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:50:10 +0000

Whether you do travel blogging for pure fun or for profit, too, you’ll benefit from Blogging All-In-One for Dummies, by Susan Gunelius, I’ve discovered.

Blogging All-in-One for Dummies by Susan Gunelius

Even though I’ve been blogging for quite some time, first just to try it out with a personal blog, and then to promote my books and workshops, as well as writing for paying gigs, I’ve still much to learn about this activity.

Susan’s book, actually 8 Books in 1, gives you so much information whether you’re beginning or consider yourself a professional, whether you simply want to write about your life, your travels and activities or want to earn an income.

As blogging grows more and more popular, whether for business, keeping connected with friends and family, or simply for fun, it’s a good idea to keep up with what’s current in the blogging world. Also, if you’re just beginning, it’s helpful to have some guidelines, such as Susan gives.

What is Your Dream Place to Visit?

Mary Emma Allen — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:00:25 +0000

If you could travel anywhere you wanted, what would top your list? Of course, we all have many places we’d like to

Alaska, Mother's dream trip; image: sxc.hu

go, but is there a favorite. One that intrigues you? Has you searching web sites and tour books?

My mom always wanted to go to Alaska. She never made it, but she read about it, both in fact and fiction. She told us stories about what she’d learned and has had me intrigued for years.

Is this the top of my list? It used to be, but now I’ve learned about many places that somewhat equal it. Some I’ve visited and others are still on that dream list. Perhaps Alaska isn’t a priority, because I don’t visualize it as much as I do something like a boat ride up the Columbia River, stopping at the historical sites along the way. I’d like to follow the trail of Lewis & Clark, and look up sites associated with the Oregon Trail pioneers.

I’ve explored other areas involved with these explorers and pioneers. The Columbia River trek would be somewhat a culmination of these travelers’ ways West.

Where would you like to go…in the United States and the world?

Making Post Cards from Your Travel Photos

Mary Emma Allen — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:00:21 +0000

A fun way to share your travels is to make your own post cards by using your travel photos.

Sedona Red Rock image: sxc.hu

Then the cards are more personalized than those you purchase.

It’s so easy nowadays when you can either scan or input your photos directly from the camera. Simply print them off on post card stock.

My husband often does this with our photos so I have a variety of cards to use. Also, he can write location and date on the card, as well as inspirational, cute or funny sayings.

You can use scenic photos for the cards or include those with your family in them.

Have you tried this? Fun to do and use!

Gleaning Corn Recipes in Your Travels

Mary Emma Allen — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:00:54 +0000

Do you, in your travels, look for new foods and recipe ideas? That has always been

Corn with BBQ image: sxc.hu

fascinating for me. I began writing my cooking column many years ago due to the different foods my husband and I found when we moved to another part of the country. Nowadays, when we travel, I still gather recipes and food traditions.

CORN SAUTEED WITH ONION is a quick and simple dish to prepare.

Melt 2- 4 tablespoons butter or margarine in skillet. Add 4 cups fresh corn and 1/2 cup sliced green onions (scallions). Cover and cook over medium heat until the corn is done, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally so vegetables don’t stick or burn. Season with salt and pepper.

You also can use thinly sliced regular onions instead of the green ones. Some like to cook 1/2 cup diced green and/or red pepper with the vegetables.)

CALIFORNIA FLAVORED SUCCOTASH calls for additional ingredients to add flavor to the traditional recipe.

Cook 2 cups fresh Lima beans in a small amount of boiling water about 10 minutes. Cut corn from 4 ears and add to the limas. Cook for 5-10 minutes until corn and beans are tender.

Brown slightly 1/4 cup slivered blanched almonds in 2 tablespoons butter. Add the almonds along with 1/4 cup chopped black olives to the drained succotash. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

What recipes have you gleaned in your travels?

Farm Fields & Produce Stands in Your Travels

Mary Emma Allen — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 05:00:14 +0000

As I travel through farming country, I’m reminded of my heritage on a dairy farm in

Corn image: sxc.hu

the Hudson River Valley of New York State. I enjoy viewing the fields in planting and harvest and recalling memories of those younger days.

I also like to see the produce displayed at farm stands. We often stop to purchase vegetables and fruit there.

I’m reminded of the times we children operated a sweet corn stand along the highway in front of our house. Extra corn raised in the garden, that we didn’t eat and Mother didn’t can, we sold there. As we children became old enough, it was our job to wait on the customers.

We even made the signs. One year, customers called Mother’s attention to a sign crayoned on cardboard, “Corn for Sail.” She didn’t tell us until some time later because she didn’t want to discourage us in our venture. Also, this sign probably brought in more customers.

What farm heritage memories come to your mind as you travel through farming country?

Look for Freebies When Traveling

Mary Emma Allen — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:00:56 +0000

Traveling can be expensive. However, if you look for freebies of various types, you

Airplane image: sxc.hu

can save on your travel budget. Granted many of the freebies are used to stimulate repeat business at various places. But they’re worth considering.

Stick with one airline (or those that join forces) and accumulate frequent miles. Because of the multitide of miles my husband and I acquired when we were traveling frequently, we have been able to travel for free the past 18 months. Also, we didn’t pay premium price when we did pay for plane fares. We looked for the bargains with the airline of our choice.
Look for frequent stay points at various hotels/motels. They’re worth accumulating, too. Sometimes the points are for only one chain. With others there are a number of hotels under the one umbrella. If I need to stay at a hotel that isn’t included in any of the plans I’m enrolled in, I always enroll. You never know when points could add up, or you’ll receive a special e-mail or mail offer.
Restaurants sometimes have punch cards. Eat there 20 times and you receive a free or half price meal. Sometimes the savings isn’t too much, but any savings is a savings, as long as you’re planning to dine there anyway.
You may find auto rental frequent user savings, those at stores with travel supplies, clothing stores and others that provide for your travel needs.

What you found as good freebies to aid you in your travel budget?

Watching Birds in Your Travels

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:32:04 +0000

Do you keep a birding notebook and record the various birds you see in your

Flamingos image: sxc.hu

travels? This is an enjoyable activity to be involved in with your youngsters.

You’ll learn about the birds in the different areas you visit or travel through.
You’ll learn and research with your youngsters.
You may want to take photos.
The very creative of you will try sketching the birds.
You don’t have to go on a birding expedition, simply be alert to the feathered friends you encounter on your route or daily activities.
This may become an enjoyable lifelong hobby.

Mary Jo’s 10 Travel Necessities

Mary Emma Allen — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:40:35 +0000

Each person has items they consider necessary for their travels.

Luggage image: sxc.hu

It depends on how they’re traveling and with whom they’re traveling, too. Do you have such a list of necessities?

Over at Traveling with MJ, you’ll find her list of 10 travel necessities. You may want to check them out and see if there any that will meet your needs. I find it helpful to glean ideas from other travelers.

Your type of luggage may depend on whether you’re traveling by auto, plane, bus or train. Whether you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking. How long you’ll be gone and what types of clothing you’ll need.

When traveling with children, you’ll have additional needs.

Do you have a travel check list that will aid you in remembering what to pack and take?

American Roads Summer Issue Available

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:00:04 +0000

American Roads summer issue up and running. You may want to check out the latest information and ideas about travel throughout the United States.

Hiking image: sxc.hu

I write two columns there:

Potluck featuring Finding Foods on the Trails of Ancestors

Vagabond Traveler with Exploring Stone Walls & Old Homesteads

You’ll find many other articles and photos of interest at American Roads.

Finding Swimming Holes Nearby

Mary Emma Allen — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:54:07 +0000

During this hot weather, families are looking for places to cool off. You may have a backyard pool, but the majority

Swimming Fun; sxc.hu image

are looking for places to swim nearby.

A brook or river where neighborhood families gather
A town pool, pond or lake that has a life guard and community activities
A mountain stream that enables you to cool off, even if it’s not deep enough for swimming
The seashore, if you live not far from the ocean
Large lakes with public beaches
A friend’s beach access at a lake

Where do you go swimming?